"Vincent doesn't have any chance to play this week because he's not started running already, so he has two weeks more," he said.

The Belgian has missed the club's last two games with a calf injury, and in his absence, the team have been humiliated by Liverpool, and saw their chances of finishing top of their Champions League group severely dented following a defeat to Juventus.

In their next clash, City host a Southampton side that have already gone to Chelsea and Liverpool and taken three points back with them, while they also have a tricky trip to the Britannia Stadium ahead to face Stoke City. Mark Hughes' men are playing with plenty of confidence this season, and will fancy their chances against a depleted City.

As well as the two league clashes, City face Championship leaders Hull City in the Capital One Cup and conclude the group stage of the Champions League with a game against Borussia Monchengladbach before the skipper is set to return.

After watching his defence get torn apart when Liverpool came to the Etihad, Pellegrini will be very much aware that it could be a decision of who plays instead of Kompany that decides how successful they are during this period without their captain.